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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Linfield crowned champions for 55th time following 1-1 draw with Coleraine

Linfield clinched a 55th league title with a 1-1 draw at Coleraine on Tuesday night.

David Healy's Blues followed up Friday's Irish Cup success by clinching the Gibson Cup with a spirited display on the Ballycastle Road..

Mark Haughey headed Linfield in front in the 13th minute, but that was cancelled out by Curtis Allen's equaliser before the break.

And despite the Bannsiders throwing the kitchen sink at the visitors in the second half, Healy's champions proved their character to retain their crown.

It is Healy's fourth title as Linfield boss, and his second league and Irish Cup double.

His side struck first at the Showgrounds, Haughey ghosting in at the back to head home after Kirk Millar's corner had been flicked on at the near post.

Allen volleyed a decent chance over from close range before drawing the sides level in the 36th minute.

It came from a brilliant Lyndon Kane delivery, and Allen headed low into the bottom corner to give Chris Johns no chance.

Allen should have doubled his and Coleraine's tally shortly after, but he got too much on a near-post header from Jamie Glackin's cross.

Coleraine goalkeeper Martin Gallagher kept the score even just before the break with a good double save.

He firstly parried Cammy Palmer's low shot, and then recovered to get down to his right to stop Joel Cooper's follow-up effort on the line.

At the other end Chris Johns did well to parry Arron Jarvis' bullet header, while Ben Doherty had an acrobatic effort deflected over the bar.

Coleraine pressed for a goal which would have taken the title race to the wire, but LInfield held firm to be seal their glory.

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